Malacca Jonker Walk: Food and Photos

Jalan Hang Jebat, Jonker Street or Jonker Walk – whichever you prefer, is a main attraction of the city of Malacca.

No journey to Malacca is complete without dropping by Jonker Walk. It’s undeniable by many. Jonker Walk is all about local Malacca food, and souvenirs.

If you come to Malacca and not visit Jonker Walk, it’s a crime. A sinful crime in which the spirit of Parameswara will haunt you forever. Not forgetting the legendary merciless curse from Hang Jebat as well.

Okay, lame joke.

Anyway, I was in Malacca recently and unsurprisingly, yes, Jonker Walk was on the to-visit list. Therefore, I’m safe from the wrath of Parameswara and Hang Jebat.

Once at The Red Building (The Stadthuys) area, tourists walk across a bridge in order to reach Jonker Walk.

The river which the bridge was built over is the Malacca River, once an important trade route during the majestic Malacca Sultanate era.

Also known as Malacca’s traditional Chinatown, this place used to be a busy trading hub. Now, it’s still a similar “buy & sell” place, but more of an ultimate tourist destination, even for the local Malaysians.

For lunch, we had the so-called famous chicken rice balls at Nasi Ayam Hoe Kee.

Since the weather was hot, we were lucky to be seated in an air-conditioned section. But that didn’t stop us from ordering coconut drink to quench our thirst.

At RM4 each, I thought it was reasonable priced. Refreshing but the inner white flesh (also known as endosperm, eww?) was quite tough.

The main dishes consists of none other than chicken meat with cucumber, some mixed vegetable, couple of rice balls and…

Uhh… a plate of plain rice?

Isn’t it unusual see plain non-ball rice in a restaurant known for its chicken rice balls? Perhaps it was a public holiday and they couldn’t find the time to shape the rice.

Fresh dodol Melaka, with Durian and Coconut flavours. I wouldn’t trust the “fresh” word though, they could have been kept for several days right?

After a turtle-paced walk due to the crowd and cars, we finally reached the famous Jonker 88 outlet. So famous, the queue so long…

All of them craving for Jonker 88’s 2 signature dishes – Assam Laksa and Durian Cendol.

We reluctantly queued up and waited for about 30 minutes to finally order. Since we already had lunch, we only opted for dessert – Durian Cendol, obviously.

Prepared with ingredients such as cendol, red beans, shaved ice topped with gula melaka (palm sugar syrup) and some durian puree, it costs RM4 for a single bowl.

Tastes really delightful. If real durian flesh were used instead – the Durian Cendol could have been more durianlicious!

Just next to Jonker 88 is a mini park – Jonker Walk World Herigate Park. Sounds like a magnificent heritage museum inside, but I was disappointed to discover that it’s just a place where people take a break and rest.

Decorated with Chinese Zodiac sculptures and green plants, that’s all they have. Nothing so heritage about it. Oh yeah, a public toilet too. Go pee at the Heritage Park.

Next up, another durian-related food – the Durian Puff.

At RM1.50 per piece, I find it rather mundane.

Take a bite and the durian cream starts to ooze out from the puff. Looks good, but it doesn’t possess the sensational durian flavour.

After taking this photo, I threw it into my mouth. An unmemorable piece of Durian Puff, see you at the end of my tunnel.

Alright, a little too harsh. To be fair, it tasted just okay. Maybe I was expecting more, since… you know… it’s made with durian!

As you walk further, you see wide selections of local Malacca food – pineapple tarts, another cendol stall, assam laksa, more chicken rice balls outlets, lok lok stores and so much more. You’ve to be there to see and eat it for yourself.

With strong influences of the Chinese culture, huge variety of typical Chinese biscuits and pastries are on sale too.

Purchased a box of 10 pastries with 5 (I think) different types. Don’t ask me what is what, because I’m not even familiar with the names of Chinese Pastries – well, except Heong Peng.

Other than food, there are plenty of souvenirs too. From t-shirts to pants, cheap bra to kinky underwear, Angry Bird passport holders to Facebook slippers – whatever you want, you name it.

Wah… I wanna go too… never even been to Melaka

Because other than the Jonker Street there is nothing better we can do at night at Malacca >///<

there are better chicken rice balls there. that hoe kee is… disappointing.
and durian cendol, i find Jonker 88’s very sweet! it tasted okay to me until i tasted Lao Qian Ice Cafe’s. only thing that it costs more for a smaller portion >.<

bro.. i love this place…

Liusays:

Nice pics u took. miss lot malacca since my last trip

Actually Melaka’s getting way too crowded on weekends, not to mention public holidays. I have never seen that crazy queues in front of Jonker 88, but the sheer publicity got them all aiming for the same stuff.
Will probably visit Melaka soon, yet I highly doubt that I can bear with the queues etc.

Kimberlysays:

Hey, anyone knows if Jonker Walk (street) is open on which days? ANy good ikan bakar to recommend? or any chinese seafood (not restuarant kind) by the sea which is great and cheap? Thanks! I love malacca. =)

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